Fencing trainer

ABSTRACT

The main frame comprises two vertical posts: a central post ( 2 ) and a main post ( 1 ). The central post ( 2 ), approximately 30″ high, is crowned with an upper side outlet cross  68  (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) with the middle outlet facing back towards the main post ( 1 ). The main post ( 1 ) is about twice as high as the central post ( 2 ) and is placed about 10″ to 12″ behind the central post 2. A bottom end of the central post  2  is set in a front flange  83,  which front flange  83  is fastened to a base plate ( 49 ). A bottom end of the main post  1  is set in a rear flange  13,  which rear flange  13  is also fastened to the base plate ( 49 ). The central post 2 and the main post 1 are bridged together with a lower horizontal pipe ( 4 ) set in the back opening of the lower side outlet cross ( 8 ), and connecting to the main post ( 1 ), with the aid of a lower aluminum tee fitting ( 11 ). An upper elbow fitting ( 67 ) is set on the top of the main post ( 1 ). An upper horizontal pipe ( 64 ) extends directly above the lower bridging pipe ( 4 ).

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mechanical trainer for fencing students.

(2) Description of Related Art including information disclosed under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98.

Current fencing training and exercise predominantly depends on human interaction. In order to perform and practice the steps and moves of this sport, an amateur needs a trainer or another person equipped with similar equipment or gear, to respond and react to the amateur's sequential moves. Practicing moves of an amateur with a partner at any time is not only possible, but is necessary for a proper development of fencing skills. One way a fencer can do this is through the use of training “dummies”. Although the training “dummies” are supposed to give to an amateur fencer a sense of facing a real opponent, and allow them to practice fencing, the presently available dummies remain just very primitive stationary assemblies, which limits their value as a training aid. Though attempts have been made with the notion of duplicating a real fencer's hand motion, (by mounting a weapon on a strong spring attached to the artificial hand) none have been successful in producing movements that remotely resemble the natural reaction to a real fencer's actions and basic movements. As a result, today's fencers still have very limited training resources, other than the traditional methods such as training with a coach.

2. Brief Description of the Invention

This object is obtained by forming this instrument as a fencing trainer.

The present invention furnishes a very unique mechanical instrument and device, which will revolutionize the perception and functionality of the training “dummies” currently available on the market. This new invention is called The Fencing Trainer. It will interact directly with the persons trying to improve their fencing skills, by creating a “virtual opponent” that the fencer can work with.

While current training dummies are static, target-type structures that do not provide any feedback to the fencer's actions or even resemble a live opponent. The Fencing Trainer has a human-like appearance and also has arms attached to its innovative torso. The arms, like the rest of the Fencing Trainer's body, possess a human-like structure and can be quickly adjusted to form all the possible fencing attacks directions and defense blocks and moves. Additionally, due to its unique torso mounting design that allows it to rotate along vertical axis “The Fencing Trainer” will naturally respond to the fencer weapon's actions simulating real opponent.

To accomplish this the “Fencing Trainer's” upper body (torso) is attached to a vertically oriented roller which is mounted on the “Fencing Trainer's” main body frame enabling it to rotate freely so that even light tap or push to the weapon (saber, foil, and epee) attached to “Fencing Trainer's” hand or any part of its structure will initiate its movement.

Another ingenious component of the “Fencing Trainer”, its upper body (torso) motion range and motion dynamics control mechanism, regulates desired characteristics of its dynamic behavior. This mechanism will constantly try to return the “Fencing Trainer's” upper body to a frontal start position but at the same time it allows the torso to rotate to the right or to the left when any lateral or direct line action is exercised on the “Fencing Trainer” by the real fencer. If sufficient force will be applied the torso will rhythmically move back and forth from side to side before it finally settles in the middle.

This ability of the torso to oscillate rotationally in a controlled manner translates into an oscillating lateral motion of the extended, weapon equipped arm which will automatically respond with correct motion to the actions performed on it by a real fencer, producing immediate feedback to any beat or line attack.

“Fencing Trainer” is a solid design of interaction and natural movement relating to a real fencer.

The subject matter of the present invention is to be described in more detail by way of an embodiment example.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

In the accompanying drawing, in which are shown several of the various possible embodiments of the present invention:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a lower pedestal and of an upper assembly of the training equipment;

FIG. 2 is a lateral elevational view of the fencing trainer,

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the frame forming elements

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the swinging arrangement,

FIG. 4A is a rear view of the swinging arrangement,

FIG. 4B is a front view of the swinging arrangement,

FIG. 5 is a detail view of the spring mechanism,

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the guiding rail,

FIG. 6A is a top view onto the guiding rail,

FIG. 6B is a top view of the roller engaging the guiding rail,

FIG. 7 shows a perspective side view of the motion limiting springs,

FIG. 7A shows a perspective front view of the motion limiting springs,

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the upper assembly,

FIG. 8A shows a perspective front view of the upper assembly,

FIG. 8B shows a front view of a stretched arm of the swinging assembly,

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the armor plate,

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a foam roller prior to assembly;

FIG. 10A shows a perspective view of an assembled foam roller,

FIG. 11 shows a drive unit for the upper assembly,

FIG. 12 shows a schematic view of an adjustable elbow,

FIG. 12 a shows a schematic view of a preferred adjustable elbow.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention apparatus furnishes a fencing trainer and consists of two main assemblies: the main frame or pedestal, which is anchored to a base board providing stability to the structure, and the torso assembly, which is swivelably mounted onto the main frame as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

The following description below is illustrated and captured in FIG. 3, unless otherwise specified in the following description.

The main frame comprises two vertical posts: a central post 2 and a main post 1. The central post 2, approximately 30″ high, is crowned with an upper side outlet cross 68 (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) with the middle outlet facing back towards the main post 1. The main post 1 is about twice as high as the central post 2 and is placed about 10″ to 12″ behind the central post 2. A bottom end of the central post 2 is set in a front flange 83, which front flange 83 is fastened to a base plate 49. A bottom end of the main post 1 is set in a rear flange 13, which rear flange 13 is also fastened to the base plate 49. The central post 2 and the main post 1 are bridged together with a lower horizontal pipe 4 set in the back opening of the lower side outlet cross 8, and connecting to the main post 1, with the aid of a lower aluminum tee fitting 11. An upper elbow fitting 67 is set on the top of the main post 1. An upper horizontal pipe 64 extends directly above the lower bridging pipe 4. The end of the top horizontal pipe 64 is fitted with an upper side outlet cross 68 matching the position of the lower side outlet cross below. The opening of the upper side outlet cross 68 and of the lower side outlet cross 8 are closed each with a respective metal plug 9, which metal plug 9 each has a ¼″ size hole in its center.

The top opening of the upper side outlet cross 68 is fitted with a short connector pipe which connects to a right angle elbow 7. A horizontal pipe 5 extends from the right angle elbow towards the front. It is capped at the end with a three socket, T-slip plastic fitting 6 oriented sideways. Parts 5 and 6 are drilled through vertically near their far ends to make holes for the bolts that will fasten down a fencing mask 48 . For added stability, while at the same time endowing the structure with a human-like appearance. Two pipes 15 and 115 as shown in FIG. 1 are extended sideways from the side outlet cross 68 mounted on the top of the central post (2). The pipes 15, 115 are fitted with two right angle elbows 7, 67 which form the “hips” 7, 67 (FIG. 1) from which two “legs” 107, 117, 516, 616, 716 are extended. As further illustrated in FIG. 3, each comprises of two pipes 3 joined together with an adjustable side outlet tee 12 and terminating with two adjustable flanges 14. One of the flanges 14 is anchored to the front of the central post 2, and the other is anchored to the back of the main post 1. The four steel pipes 3 are covered with foam rollers with armor leather 16 (details of 16 are illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 10A) on top refer to FIGS. 1 and 2 for illustration.

The description below is illustrated and captured in FIGS. 4, 4A, 4B, and 5. The central element of the torso assembly is a steel ball roller 24, which is 22″ long with ¼″ shafts at the ends. The shafts are received into the two ¼″ holes drilled in the metal plugs 9 set in the side outlet crosses 8 of the main frame. Three other side outlet crosses 8 are mounted on the roller, aligned with each other with one near the top, the next one 6″ below it, and the third one 10″ below that. The two lower outlet crosses 8 are fitted with plastic pipes 25 on the sides and another pipe 26 (as illustrated in FIG. 4, 4A, 4B) in the middle (front). All of these pipes are closed with plastic caps 27 with holes in the center. A carbonate plexiglass shield 29, 20″ high 2′ wide, is bent backward from the sides to form a semi-circular curved plane, and is fastened with bolts 28 to the caps 27 (FIG. 4, 4A, 4B). The shield 29 is covered by % or ½ inch foam sheet 51 and armor leather 52 (illustrated in FIG. 9). The top corners of the shield 29 are notched to allow room for steel pipes 44, which extend sideways from the top side outlet cross 8. To these pipes two “arms” are attached (illustrated in FIG. 4B).

One “arm” (illustrated in FIG. 8) comprising of alternating adjustable elbows 41 or 17, and two steel pipes 42 ends with an adjustable cross 17. The adjustable cross 17 has holes drilled through it near the end to receive a weapon (sabre, foil, epee). The adjustable cross 17 with drilled hole is listed as part 55, see Fencing Trainer Part List document.

The other arm is the sequence of an elbow 7, a pipe 42, an adjustable cross 17, and another pipe 42 connected to each other in that order. The pipes 42 are covered with foam rollers with armor leather 16 on top (illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2).

The dynamic range control and motion dynamics control complete the assembly of the Fencing Trainer. They consist of interacting elements, some of which are attached to the Torso assembly, while the rest of the parts are mounted onto the main frame.

The Motion Dynamics Control

The description below is illustrated in FIG. 5.

A fourth side outlet cross 8 is mounted on the roller 24 directly below the second side outlet cross 8 from the top, and a rectangular plate 30 is attached to the back of it. A hinged plate 31 is attached to the rectangular plate 30 along the top so that it swings up and down. It is extended on the top with an L-clip 32, bending back so that when the moving part of the hinged plate is oriented horizontally, the end of the L-clip points down. A shouldered bolt 33, which is set in the hole near the top corner of the clip 32, extends outwards as an axle for a freely turning pulley wheel, which is kept in place with a teflon spacer 43. The midpoints of the rectangular plate 30 and the corresponding side of the L-clip 32 are connected with a high tension spring attachment 35. Below, the low points of the two plates are similarly tied together with a secondary low tension spring attachment 36. The attachments are secured with an 1-bolt 37 on one side so that the tension of the springs can be adjusted with the tightening nuts. For additional illustration describing the functions specified in the paragraph below refer to FIGS. 6, 6A, 6B) The grooved edge of the pulley wheel 34 is set on top of the curved vertical edge of the movement controlling rail 21, which is attached to a base (20), that is fastened to a horizontally oriented wall flange 22. The wall flange 22 is connected to the main post 1 via a steel pipe and an aluminum tee fitting 11. The curved arc of the rail 21 matches the circular arc made by the pulley wheel 34 as it rotates with the roller 24, so that the wheel always stays on top of it. The downward pull exerted on pulley wheel 34 by the set of springs, tends to stop the rotation of the wheel on the steep rises of the rail near its side ends, and guide it back towards the lowest point on the rail (the middle).This translates to the forward-facing position of the Torso assembly. The description below is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7A. To facilitate a more dynamic response of the Torso, another device, the dynamic range controller, is mounted on the lower pipe 4 connecting the two posts of the main frame. A swivel tee fitting 47 is set on the pipe 4. A support pipe 50 is extended vertically upwards from the swivel tee fitting 47. An adjustable cross 17 is set on top of it with two compression springs 19 exiting the two outlets. They are angled and leveled so that they will meet head on with two bumper plates 46 bolted to the back of the lower side “ribs” 25 of the Torso, enhancing the return dynamics. As illustrated in FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A. Spacers 43 help to angle the bumper plates 46.

The “arm” of the Fencing Trainer Machine can rotate at its three “joints”. This allows the user to move and adjust the “arm” in many different ways. Because of this, the Fencing Trainer can form both basic and intricate fencing positions. FIGS. 8, 8A and 8B demonstrate the structure and build of the “arm”, and how it can be used.

In the above text numbers provided or specified in parenthesis refer and identify part numbers illustrated on the attached drawings labeled FIG. 1 through 10A.

It is planned to upgrade the Fencing Trainer Machine from a purely mechanical device to an electromechanical training system. By incorporating an electric/electromagnet motor, the Fencing Trainer's movements will be controlled through a programmable electronic device. This is illustrated in FIG. 11.

It is further planned to change design of Adjustable Elbow by integrating Twist-Lok and Push-in locks to make hand position adjustments easier. Current Adjustable Elbow design uses pipe locking hex screws to lock the pipe inside adjustable elbow fitting. This is illustrated in FIG. 12.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together, may also find a useful application in other types of ultrasonic treatment system configurations and surgical processing procedures differing from the types described above. reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

List of Reference Characters

-   1. Main post steel pipe -   2. Central support steel pipe -   3. Thigh & calf steel pipe -   4. Lower & upper bridge steel pipe -   5. Mask fitter extension steel pipe -   6. Three socket T-Slip (plastic fitting) -   7. Elbow (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) -   8. Side Outlet Cross (Diamond Aluminum Fitting) -   9. Aluminum/steel plug with ¼″ center hole -   10. Cross to elbow connector steel pipe -   11. TEE fitting aluminum -   12. Adjustable Side Outlet TEE -   13. Base flange aluminum/steel -   14. Adjustable flange -   15. Central post to leg connector steel pipe -   16. Foam rollers protected by armor leather -   17. Adjustable cross -   18. Plastic plug -   19. Compression spring bumper -   20. Movement control base -   21. Movement controlling rail -   22. Wall flange -   23. Connector pipe -   24. Steel ball bearings roller with ¼″ shaft -   25. Plastic “rib” pipe -   26. Plastic “front rib” pipe -   27. Plastic caps -   28. Fastening hardware set (bolts, nuts, washers). -   29. Polycarbonate shield shaped -   30. Flat metal plate -   31. Hinged plate -   32. L-clip -   33. Bolt -   34. Wheel with grooved edge -   35. High tension main spring -   36. Low tension secondary spring -   37. Spring tension adjustment assembly -   38. Spring fastener pivot -   39. Plate fastening bolt -   40. Fastening bolts -   41. Adjustable elbow (KEE Lite pipe fitting). This part can be     replaced by part 17 -   42. Arm & forearm steel pipe -   43. Spacer post -   44. “Shoulder” steel pipe -   45. Velero Strips -   46. Bumper plate -   47. Swivel Tee -   48. Fencing mask -   49. Base Board (plywood or plastic) -   50. Bumper Support Pipe -   51. Foam sheet -   52. Armor leather -   53. Fencing weapon -   54. Foam roller Adjustable cross with % inch hole. This is the same     part as 17 with drilled hole. 

1. A training apparatus for fencing comprising a pedestal; and an upper torso assembly rotatably mounted on the pedestal around a vertical rotation axis; a spring connection between the pedestal and the upper torso assembly; a spring resistance for limiting the rotation angle.
 2. The training apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a bottom plate for setting the pedestal; a central post attached to the bottom plate and forming the vertical rotation axis; a main post attached to the bottom plate for supporting the central post; two arms attached to the upper torso assembly for providing a counter part for the training fencer.
 3. The training apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising a flat metal plate attached to a side of the upper torso assembly; a hinged plate is hinged to the flat metal plate; a high tension main spring attached to the flat metal plate and to the hinged plate for limiting the elongation of the hinged plate; a movement controlling rail attached to the pedestal and a wheel with grooved edge for engaging the movement of the movement controlling rail.
 4. The training apparatus according to claim I further comprising a compression spring bumper attached to the torso. 